**Russian Vessel Intercepted Near Baltic Power Cable**
A Russian ship, under international sanctions, was involved in “suspicious” maneuvers near a critical undersea power cable connecting Poland and Sweden. The incident happened on May 21, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The vessel was forced to retreat after a military intervention by Polish forces. Tusk announced on social media that the ship had sailed back to one of Russia’s ports. A Polish survey ship, ORP Heweliusz, is now heading to the scene to investigate further.
**EU Imposes Sanctions on Russian Ships**
This incident comes just a day after the European Union imposed its 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The new measures target nearly 200 ships believed to be part of Moscow’s “shadow fleet,” which is used to transport oil and other cargo in defiance of Western sanctions.
The EU has been strengthening its response to hybrid threats, including disruptions to power cables and signals in the Baltic Sea region. While some incidents may have been accidental, senior officials believe that repeated disruptions cannot be explained by poor seamanship alone.
**Germany Calls Russian Fleet a “Direct Security Threat”**
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called Russia’s covert shipping operations a “direct security threat.” He emphasized that the EU will impose fresh sanctions on vessels enabling Russia to bypass restrictions. Wadephul also pointed out that the shadow fleet plays a crucial role in helping Russia sell oil around Western sanctions.
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